WORLD BRIEFING / SAUDI ARABIA

TIMES WIRE REPORTS

A senior prince largely credited for Saudi Arabia's anti-terrorism campaign was lightly wounded by a suicide bomber just before he was to go into a gathering of well-wishers for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the state news agency said.

It was the first known assassination attempt against a member of the royal family since Saudi Arabia began its crackdown on Al Qaeda-affiliated militants after the Sept. 11 attacks.

The militant who attacked the assistant interior minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayif, in Jidda had expressed his intention to give himself up to the official, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It is customary for senior royals to hold open gatherings where citizens can air grievances. The agency said the prince, who is the son of the interior minister, was discharged from the hospital.